Inflatable Vest?

[stump grinder]

I am thinking of getting a couple of the inflatable vests for me and the wife. I would like a little input on these types of vest (Pro's and Cons) (Auto or Manual). Thanks SG

[Herewego]

I've had one bout 4 years. Mine is auto and has the manual pull handle also.
I think they are great for winter time fishing.

["G"]

I have been using a automatic ( it also has a manual on it also) one for a couple of years now. I like it because if I am by myself and something happens where I might be unconsious....it will inflate itself and float me face up. I fish a lot by myself so this feature is important to me. Compare the ratings on the ones you look at....some of them have a higher floatation rating than others. I got one with the highest rating. The ones made by Mustang are supposed to be the best.

[rebg38]

did a bit of research before I bought me, this is what I came up with. Hopefully it might be of help to you.

EVEN BUYING A "PFD" CAN BE COMPLICATED



I am one of those who wear a PFD at all times in a boat on the water.
Therefore, I get a bit 'serious' when I purchase a new one.

Even though the vest type PFD with the sewn in foam type floatation, has
severed its purpose well over the years, it does have a few drawbacks.
First and foremost, it is not designed to turn an unconscious wearer
face-up in the water....its design provides a stable position in calm
water for persons floating with their head tilted back. Second, you can
get just a bit hot while wearing it during the summer. Third, it
requires a lot of storage space in your boat.

Since the inflatable 'suspender' type PFD, when properly inflated, is
designed to turn an unconscious wearer face-up in the water, and due to
its physcial design, it should be cooler to wear during the hot weather,
as well as take up less storage space. I decided that I would buy me
one.

So off to Cabelas and BassProShop catalogs I go. Now it gets to be a bit
complicated.

The first thing I noticed, was the wide price range; $69.95 - $349.99.
Re-arming kits range from $14.99 - $22.99. Since that is such a wide
range, I thought I would see if I could figure out what it was all
about. Other than 'brand names' (we all know that those cost us a few
dollars) this is what I came up with that seems to affect the price the
most:

a. Pounds of Buoyancy - # 22.5, # 25, # 35(twice the buoyancy of most
foam vests), # 40

b. Method of inflating - Manual, Automatic/Manual, Hydrostatic

Now let me see if I can narrow my requirements down by doing a bit of
homework on both "a and b".

Just how much buoyancy do I really need? BoatSafe.com answered that for
me out with the following:

"PFDs have different pounds of buoyancy. What does that mean?"

A buoyant apparatus is anything that can float and hold up weight. For
instance, if you had a Type I PFD that is required to have 22 pounds of
buoyancy, it would be capable of supporting 22 pounds of dense material
such as lead, iron, gold, granite, etc. It would not let the material
sink to the bottom. If we tied a 20 pound anchor to this PFD, what do
you suppose would happen? If you guessed that it would hold the anchor
off the bottom you would be correct.

How can this PFD with 22 pounds of buoyancy hold up a two hundred pound
person in the water?

You have to do the math! Let's take the example of a 200 pound person.
Approximately 80% of the body is water. Water in the body has no weight
in water. So now we are down to having to support only 40 pounds.

200 lbs. X 80% = 160 lbs.

200 lbs. - 160 lbs. = 40 lbs.

But the PFD only has a buoyancy rating of 22 lbs. How can it hold up 40
lbs?

On average our bodies also have 15% fat and fat is lighter than water.

200 lbs. X 15% = 30 lbs.

40 lbs. - 30 lbs. = 10 lbs.

Now you can see that the average 200 pound person only weighs about 10
pounds in water. The 22 lbs of buoyancy in your PFD is more than enough
to keep the person afloat"

The #22.5 or #25 will serve me just fine.

Now to compare the methods of inflating:

MANUAL - Wearer pulls a lanyard, which causes a pin to puncture the co2
bottle which inflates the PFD.

AUTOMATIC/MANUAL -Provides the option on placing a "pill" between the
pin and co2 bottle, which keeps the pin from puncturing the bottle. If
the wearer falls in the water, the pill is dissolved, allowing the pin
to puncture the bottle and then inflates the PFD within in 2 or 3
seconds. Great feature if you are knocked unconscious. Drawback - Can
inflate prematurely due to rain, humidity or water contact.

HYDROSTATIC INFLATOR - Hydrostatic pressure is a force that water exerts
on an object when it submerges. When it is submerged in 5" of water or
more, a firing mechanism automatically activates to inflate the PFD. It
won't inflate in just any wet situation such as rain or an accidental
drop overboard, but must be submerged to inflate. These inflators are
maintenance-free for five years, unless activated. Drawback - Too
expensive for my wallet.

All things considered, think I will go with the manual inflator.

Now, armed with the above information, I think I am ready to pick me out
an inflatable type PFD.

************************************************** **********************
*****

Hope the above might be of help to you the next time you purchase a PFD
of some type.

"REMEMBER: No buoyant device of any kind has ever been a sure Guarantee
against drowning. PFD's provide buoyancy to support or 'float' the
wearer, but vigilance and safety-sense plus wearing a good buoyant
device are the surest protection."

************************************************** ***********************
Every STATEs boating regulations and safety laws I have read, states that " All PFDs must be:
U.S. Coast Guard- approved ". Before you purchase a PFD make sure that on its label, it states that it is U.S. Coast Guard approved .

Don

[Cane Pole]

My wife and I have them. We like them. Auto Sospenders model.

Mine got a little "scummy", so, Brenda cleaned it in the sink. Hey, they work in the sink.

Ripalip had to re-arm it for me while we were in Mississippi.

[AZfisherdude]

rebg38, that is a most excellent breakdown of pfds. Thanks very much for that.

[luvin.fishin]

I've been using a Mustang long version vest (auto with manual pull) for several years now with complete satisfaction as to comfort and wear. I have it attached to my "dead man switch" cord on my motor controls and wear it anytime I run the big motor. I can't attest as to the inflation cause I haven't fallen out of the boat wearing it but I have every confidence in it. I also got the re-arm kit at the same time I got the vest. This vest will supposedly hold your head outta' the water if you're unconscious because it passes around the back of your neck. Which is another good reason to go Auto. You may not have the time or the capacity to find and pull on that manual handle on the vest. In fact, I tuck the manual handle up into the vest Velcro closure part so it isn't hanging out to snag on stuff. I don't want to snag it on something and have it go off accidentally, especially when I'm running the big motor!

The wife has a Cabela's auto w/manual pull inflatable vest and it works for her. We hide the manual pull handle on it too!

I also own an auto (with manual pull) inflate belt but I don't wear it under power, just when fishing sometimes. (Yeah, I tuck the manual pull handle away so it doesn't get pulled accidentally) You should be conscious using the belt to make sure you stay on your back. If it slips around on your waist, it could be bad. It is really comfortable and hardly noticeable when wearing it.

I won't go back to the old style of full wearable jacket even though it's necessary to have one in the boat (and a throw-able PFD) to satisfy the regulations. In my state, these inflatable PFD devices are only considered to be "readily available" and "on board" if you're actually wearing it. There are times when fishing in the front of the boat in hot weather I won't wear a shirt, much less a PFD. And I have been known to go swimming from my boat on purpose.

In any case, the best PFD is one you'll wear and have on when you need it!

[Billbob]

i have 1 of each ues the belly 1 in the summer the vest in winter

[stump grinder]

Thanks for the great input

[deputyking]

I believe that if it's in the boat under a seat or in an compartment, that it will not be very helpful if you fall overboard. Therefore, I believe it must be user friendly to be used or it will not be worn. A gun too big to carry or too heavy for the purse or pocket will be left at home and not be available when needed. This means that if anything is to be used, then it must be user friendly and easy to use and/or carry. The one you choose to get may not be the best/biggest or have all the bells and whistles but if it is user friendly and you will actually use it then it is better than a hundred that is put away and not there when you need it.